The American contingent was outdone at Royal Ascot Friday, but what a run by Miss Temple City. Off at 21-1 on TVG, the Graham Motion trainee was upwards of 90-1 in Great Britain.

We are not rooters as a rule. Too many races, too many days in the press box, too many winners and many more losers - we are there to observe, to make note, to be objective. Yet we begged the filly to find more. We implored Johnny Velazquez to help her. We were so loud the rest in the Brickwall Tavern became silent, as they watched us beg and plead for triumph and at the very end, at least a placing.

Then condolences - from those that don't know it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. And oh, what a game Miss Temple City played.